Media Release

​ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Florida Certified Public Manager (CPM) program is honoring 484 new graduates this summer. That will bring the total number of CPM graduates in Florida to approximately 5,555, which is more than any other state.

Six employees from Alachua County recently graduated from the program (Vernest LeGree, Salatheia Jenkins, Stephen Hofstetter, Jeffrey Hays, Victor Paul, and Louis Morales), with two more graduating later this summer (Sean McLendon, and Tommy Crosby). Four employees from the Alachua County Tax Collector’s Office also graduated (Lori Carmichael, Rita Hart, Alisha Curtis, and Venus McCray). 45 County and nine Tax Collector’s Office employees now have Certified Public Manager credential (CPM).

In honor of these CPM graduates, Governor Rick Scott designated the week of July 24-30, 2016, as “Certified Public Manager Recognition Week.”

View Governor Rick Scott’s Certified Public Manager Recognition Week Proclamation.

The CPM program is a nationally-recognized leadership development program, currently delivered in 38 states. The purpose is to develop more effective public managers, thereby improving services to all Florida taxpayers.

Florida has one of the most successful CPM programs in the country. It is administered by the Florida Center for Public Management at Florida State University, which is part of the Askew School of Public Administration.

The 484 new graduates have completed a rigorous two-year program, including 32 days of training, plus required projects and exams. Over 100 government agencies, including cities, counties, state, and constitutional offices have participated in the Florida CPM program.

Find out more about the CPM program.

For more information, contact Alachua County Training Manager Susannah Causier at 352-337-6166, or Sjc@alachuacounty.us.